Who knows what waves emanate from the smallest actions to expand across the largest areas, connections and networks, a kind of creative mycelium. For me, often, the artists have a clear eyed view of things, from standing on the outside looking in, instead of identifying with concepts and ideas and thus subconsciously defending them.
IN all this chaos I found this to be very optimistic. Thanks :)
Mycelium is a beautiful way to describe it. Artists do have great observation, don't they, and I love how Ginsberg was inspired by nature that day on his walk
I'm glad to hear you found it optimistic, Jonathan 🌻
Oh wow, I love this! The arts often feel so... powerless. You never know who and how it will touch and make a difference, you can only see it in hindsight. What a wonderful encouragement to keep on drawing and sharing my art. You never know if it will set someone in motion or encourage to keep going...
Absolutely Betje. Cartoonists play such an important role in the critique of culture and in explaining ideas. They've been immensely powerful in political commentary. Keep drawing 😀
Thanks Tash. I didn't know it either until I started researching the topic. It makes so much sense that someone as creative, philosophical, political and influential as Ginsberg was the instigator. And speaking of walks over on the Wolfish! page, it makes just as much sense that he was inspired while out walking :)
Thank you, Gillian. I've been a bit slack on the art in recent weeks as time crunches down on me. I was so dismayed at my effort in Part 1 (it was late and I was so tired, I scribbled a chalk peace sign in 2 minutes), that I vowed to stay up as late as was needed to do something better this time around. I re-did the peace sign too so I don't have to ever see it on my page again! I feel much better now, haha.
Thanks Kate! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I find it inspiring to remind myself about the influence the arts have had on of some of these moments in history.
It is a busy month, isn't it. I hope it unfolds smoothly with lots of fun, family and festivities for you too :)
BTW, sorry, I forget to thank you so much for adding me to your list. I was reading Elif Shafak's great novel "The Island Of Missing Trees" the other day, so to be in a list with her is like OMG!
A clear eyed view Alia and always inspiring. It’s a big Orb spider-web, this interconnection of ideas and existence. I smiled often listening to Ginsberg reciting his mantras and there was a thread running from New York to California. John and Yoko were among many who imagined their own artistic happenings to give peace a chance. The most powerful change makers on Vietnam were the truth tellers. Daniel, Phillip and Elizabeth Berrigan. Especially Ellsberg with his release of the Pentagon Papers. Huge cog right there! The US and Australian public cheered on the ‘fight against Communism’ until the painful conduct and futility of the war were outlined with unassailable facts.
Today with the fastest change in human history upon us we need precious truth.
Thank you, Jeff! It would have been an amazing time, there was so much happening. I had a reference to Lennon's Give Peace A Chance in there, but had to edit it out because the piece gets "too long for email" and won't send. There are so many cogs turning and so many tangents to follow that I often feel everything I write superficially scrapes the surface, yet I know I can't write a thesis on every topic I cover, haha.
The truthtellers are an incredibly important part of the story. They always are. Perhaps that's a topic for next year, although I can see a very good book in it for you :)
Your words and sketches bring back vivid and important scenes and themes before so much is more or less forgotten. I love reading your essays deciphering change.
Excellent stuff, Alia.
Who knows what waves emanate from the smallest actions to expand across the largest areas, connections and networks, a kind of creative mycelium. For me, often, the artists have a clear eyed view of things, from standing on the outside looking in, instead of identifying with concepts and ideas and thus subconsciously defending them.
IN all this chaos I found this to be very optimistic. Thanks :)
Mycelium is a beautiful way to describe it. Artists do have great observation, don't they, and I love how Ginsberg was inspired by nature that day on his walk
I'm glad to hear you found it optimistic, Jonathan 🌻
Oh wow, I love this! The arts often feel so... powerless. You never know who and how it will touch and make a difference, you can only see it in hindsight. What a wonderful encouragement to keep on drawing and sharing my art. You never know if it will set someone in motion or encourage to keep going...
Absolutely Betje. Cartoonists play such an important role in the critique of culture and in explaining ideas. They've been immensely powerful in political commentary. Keep drawing 😀
I had no idea that 'flower power' originated from Ginsberg. How fascinating! Great post!
Thanks Tash. I didn't know it either until I started researching the topic. It makes so much sense that someone as creative, philosophical, political and influential as Ginsberg was the instigator. And speaking of walks over on the Wolfish! page, it makes just as much sense that he was inspired while out walking :)
Oh, nice tie in!
I'm loving this series! Thank you. Your image is super. xo
Thank you, Gillian. I've been a bit slack on the art in recent weeks as time crunches down on me. I was so dismayed at my effort in Part 1 (it was late and I was so tired, I scribbled a chalk peace sign in 2 minutes), that I vowed to stay up as late as was needed to do something better this time around. I re-did the peace sign too so I don't have to ever see it on my page again! I feel much better now, haha.
Too funny, I don’t mind if your post is late, funny isn’t it that line between self-discipline and flexibility, I struggle a bit with that too. xo
Terrific read, thanks Alia, another slice of history I know so much more about. Wishing you well this December
Thanks Kate! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I find it inspiring to remind myself about the influence the arts have had on of some of these moments in history.
It is a busy month, isn't it. I hope it unfolds smoothly with lots of fun, family and festivities for you too :)
BTW, sorry, I forget to thank you so much for adding me to your list. I was reading Elif Shafak's great novel "The Island Of Missing Trees" the other day, so to be in a list with her is like OMG!
You're welcome, Jonathan. You and Elif must have been on the same wavelength last week.
A clear eyed view Alia and always inspiring. It’s a big Orb spider-web, this interconnection of ideas and existence. I smiled often listening to Ginsberg reciting his mantras and there was a thread running from New York to California. John and Yoko were among many who imagined their own artistic happenings to give peace a chance. The most powerful change makers on Vietnam were the truth tellers. Daniel, Phillip and Elizabeth Berrigan. Especially Ellsberg with his release of the Pentagon Papers. Huge cog right there! The US and Australian public cheered on the ‘fight against Communism’ until the painful conduct and futility of the war were outlined with unassailable facts.
Today with the fastest change in human history upon us we need precious truth.
Thanks for this marvellous series.
Thank you, Jeff! It would have been an amazing time, there was so much happening. I had a reference to Lennon's Give Peace A Chance in there, but had to edit it out because the piece gets "too long for email" and won't send. There are so many cogs turning and so many tangents to follow that I often feel everything I write superficially scrapes the surface, yet I know I can't write a thesis on every topic I cover, haha.
The truthtellers are an incredibly important part of the story. They always are. Perhaps that's a topic for next year, although I can see a very good book in it for you :)
Your words and sketches bring back vivid and important scenes and themes before so much is more or less forgotten. I love reading your essays deciphering change.